KBS Week 2017

GR did sell out but Detroit has tickets available for every day

 

I've only been into craft beer for a few years and KBS is the first top beer that I had tried to acquire. I didn't find out about the ticket sale in 2015 until after it had sold out and I was only able to purchase 3-4 bottles from local stores. In 2016 I was already for the ticket sale but couldn't get through. I was able to get 6-8 bottles from local stores. Last year I got the full allotment from the Founders release and another 6-8 bottles from local stores. I still have a few left so will try to buy 1 or 2 four packs. I think KBS is great fresh and am happy that it is more readily available.

I was very surprised to find tickets were still available over a week after they went on sale.

 

Detroit was 'Sold Out' for some time period. Founders released more tickets to Detroit.

 

I have a feeling we will be swimming in this when it is distributed.

 

I thought so because I'm in Detroit for work & thought that those were the ones selling out quickest.
I went on the site today & there looks like multiple tickets available each day which is interesting that they re-filled Detroit & not GR

 

Grand Rapids was suddenly just "sold out". Clearly they took the leftover allotments and gave them to Detroit.

 

Hey look, a MI brewery did something that makes total fucking sense.

 

They reopened Detroit mug club sales for a while after the first wave of the public sale sold out. My guess is they never sold out of the mug club allotment and are trying to sell those now.

 

Thanks for the info! I'll check out the spots that tapped on Mon/Tues when I get into town early Wed and may check out one of those places for lunch (if they are open for lunch) and if I strike out then I'll most likely try Holiday Bar Wed night or Score on Thurs.

Outside of that any recommendation on package cans/bottles I should try to pick up to enjoy in the hotel the couple nights I'm in town? When traveling, I usually try to snag a mix-6 of local stuff that does not reach distro around me.

 

If you like NE IPA's, look for Old Nation Boss Tweed and if that's not on the shelf ON M43.
Some of the shops may have an IPA/PA or 2 from Transient.
Short's Superfluid is a damn good <$2 bottle non-NE DIPA and will probably still be around.

 

What a difference increased production and widespread distribution make.

It's going on noon on the first day of KBS bottle availability. Eight barrel aged offerings on tap, including 2016 and 2017 KBS.

The taproom can be charitably described as half full.

 

What other barrel aged beers on tap?

 

https://foundersbrewing.com/brewery/grand-rapids/whats-on-tap/

 

...and even though the last update was yesterday, it is still accurate.

 

Similar taplist at Detroit which was 1/2 full at lunchtime. No KBS' on tap at Detroit but most of the Class 3 were

 

Would you expect the taproom to be full on a Tuesday at noon during a several day ticketed event though, with only a portion of ticket holders able to pick up their allotment today? Especially considering '18 KBS isn't getting tapped until Saturday at the brewery, but is available around town all week.

 

I like the road trip. I've been to KBS week on Tuesday or Wednesday around noon every year for the past few years. Based on experience, yes, I would expect the taproom to be full at noon on Tuesday.

 

Yeah but if there's not a line or a shoulder to shoulder tap room that must mean no one cares about KBS anymore!??!

 

Gotcha. I didn't realize it had historically been busy on the first day of bottle release. On the topic of road trips though, anyone from the East side of the state that would have driven to GR in the past is gonna be at the Detroit tap room instead today. Could be a factor contributing to lower crowds in GR. But I guess that kind of goes back to having production increase enough to make a 2 location release happen.

 

Stopped into founders today and they are selling cases of 2016 KBS (December bottling),DKML, Mango Manifico and Reds Rye. Finally got a parking spot right out front and they of course moved the pick up to the far north west corner now. They are handing the allotments out in bags this year for easy carrying which was nice.

 

Like this one....

 

Drinking it on the day you got it!?! Not cellaring for 9 years first!?! Sacrilege!!

 

Are they selling any vintages at Founders Detroit?

 

I didn't see any yesterday when I picked mine up

 

Detroit pickup was so simple, great job Founders. The KBS bag was nice added value.

 

I didn't see any in the cooler as of today ,Thursday.

 

Agreed I picked mine up today and the whole thing was smooth. Loved the bag too, made lugging the haul out so much easier.

 

Cbs on tap at Grand Rapids... I picked a good day for pick up.

 

It's also on tap at Detroit.

 

Talking about vintages, pallets of Frootwood are now out at the Meijer on zeeb in Ann Arbor.

 

What’s the date for general release around the Midwest after KBS week?

 

I think it’s usually right around April 1st. Not sure if it’s been announced yet this year.

 

\With April 1st on a (Easter) Sunday this year, I have been told by a few shops that Friday 3/30 will be the KBS release day. They haven't widely announced this since they do not want you to be distracted from buying all the Guinness, stouts, and spirits for St. Patrick's day.

 

I was in a Meijer just south of Lansing yesterday. They had a sign at the end of the beer aisle -
KBS Available March 12th
Noon
Limited Quantities
Line Starts Here

It was the first time that I have ever seen a sign of this nature in Meijer. The people working there usually have no clue what is going on with respect to beer releases. I am not expecting the quantities to be limited. I doubt there will be a line.

 

Kalamazoo seems to be getting it today

 

I saw the exact same sign at the Cascade Meijer in GR. Now curious if stores local to me are doing the same.

 

They had small signs with a similar message last year. I went on that day, at 11:55 and there was a small line and someone handing out the packs. I think I was #8, and I was basically the end of the line. They had 25 cases at the Lake Lansing Meijer. Then the employee was just standing there, guarding it, with something to do. I overheard her say to another employee "There is NO way we are going to sell ALL of this!"

This year there has been some images floating on facebook with Meijer messages and it saying that the allotment was 2 packs and 2 bombers per person. So, as predicted it looks like the quantity has been upped considerably. <Insert image here from the brighton meijer last year where the employees just gave up and stacked an entire shelf area. 10 shelves high and 2-3 packs deep with it>

Trying to figure out if i want to make a quick run during lunch, or just assume it will last longer this year. I really only want a pack and second guessing even that.

I imagine there will still be a small line. KBS is still a whale to people not really into craft beer, or just starting out. It is a beer and a release they have heard of, it is one they can chase and actually get. Probably the first one that they were like "really, like it comes out on a specific day and I need to buy it right then??" These are not the same people truck chasing the bud truck to get bcbs because Lansing got like 4 total cases (or whatever the absurd number was).

 

If it is the same deal as last year, it should be that ALL Meijer got at least some form of an allocation.

 

*Sorry -- I should have added: this is for the Chicago area only. I have no information on other areas.

 

Yeah it is. I called my local. Just wasn't sure if the east side of the state got their shipments yet. Sounds like they did.